The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa, Volume 2 eBook

of stony nodules, and afflicting therewith the combatants
by hundreds and thousands. (For all that), O monarch,
both armies, filled with joy, stood addrest for battle,
on Kurukshetra like two agitated oceans. Indeed,
that encounter of the two armies was highly wonderful,
like that of two oceans when the end of the Yuga is
arrived. The whole earth was empty, having only
the children and the old left (at home), in consequence
of that large army mustered by the Kauravas.[6] Then
the Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas made certain
covenants, and settled the rules, O bull of Bharata’s
race, regarding the different kinds of combat.
Persons equally circumstanced must encounter each other,
fighting fairly. And if having fought fairly the
combatants withdraw (without fear of molestation),
even that would be gratifying to us. Those who
engaged in contests of words should be fought against
with words. Those that left the ranks should
never be slain.[7] A car-warrior should have a car-warrior
for his antagonist; he on the neck of an elephant
should have a similar combatant for his foe; a horse
should be met by a horse, and a foot-soldier, O Bharata;
should be met by a foot-soldier. Guided by considerations
of fitness, willingness, daring and might, one should
strike another, giving notice. No one should strike
another that is unprepared[8] or panic-struck.
One engaged with another, one seeking quarter, one
retreating, one whose weapon is rendered unfit, uncased
in mail, should never be struck. Car-drivers,
animals (yoked to cars or carrying weapons) men engaged
in the transport of weapons,[9] players on drums and
blowers of conches should never be struck. Having
made these covenants, the Kurus, and the Pandavas,
and the Somakas wondered much, gazing at each other.
And having stationed (their forces thus), those bulls
among men, those high-souled ones, with their troops,
became glad at heart, their joy being reflected on
their countenances.”

SECTION II

Vaisampayana said,—­“Seeing then the
two armies (standing) on the east and the west for
the fierce battle that was impending, the holy Rishi
Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, that foremost of all persons
acquainted with the Vedas, that grandsire of the Bharatas,
conversant with the past, the present, and the future,
and beholding everything as if it were present before
his eyes, said these words in private unto the royal
son of Vichitravirya who was then distressed and giving
way to sorrow, reflecting on the evil policy of his
sons.

“Vyasa said,—­’O king, thy sons
and the other monarchs have their hour arrived.[10]
Mustered in battle they will kill one another.
O Bharata, their hour having come, they will all perish.
Bearing in mind the changes brought on by time, do
not yield thy heart to grief. O king, if thou
wish to see them (fighting) in battle, I will, O son,
grant thee vision. Behold the battle.”

“Dhritarashtra said,—­’O best
of regenerate Rishi, I like not to behold the slaughter
of kinsmen. I shall, however, through thy potency
hear of this battle minutely.”